Fancy Goldfish in Distress

Question

Raf   Hello I dont know where to turn there is so much different stuff on the internet about what to do with goldfishes. My 2 year old fancy goldfish, has suffered with constipation on and off, but a regular diet with some pea and blood worm has helped. Up till last night he was at the top of the tank all bent, not swimming. I thought he was a goner but he was still breathing. So I immediately put a medikit filter on my biorb and hoped it would help him. A few hours later no change, today I had to leave him to go to work and this evening no change. I read about salt baths or even paracetamol tablets in the tank or euthanize him cause he is in a lot of pain. Is he in pain? He lives with 2 other fancy goldfish who both are fine. What can I do to help him?

Answer
Liz, This may be constipation. The first thing I would do is get him into an Epsom salt bath tepid water, 1 teaspoon per gallon. Leave him in there for at least 15 minute's try to do this two times a day. Stay with the peas one a day no shell. I would also go and get tetracycline from the pet shop and treat your tank accordingly. Take out your filter carbon. This guy has a pretty bad swim bladder infection. This is why he can not hold himself up. If you look closely at your fish they have a line that runs right down the middle head to tail. This is called the lateral line, this is what keeps them straight and upright. The bladder gets infected and it can't control its buoyancy and the lateral line is affected and his equilibrium is off (his balance control). What I don't see is the raised scales from dropsy so don't give up yet. The medication will not hurt your other goldie's. You are going to medicate for 7 day's and then do a 30% water change and put your carbon back in. After this is all over go and get a couple Cory catfish they get about two inches and are cute to keep the bottom clean and feed brine shrimp or daphnia as a treat only they need very little protein. The pea's once a week and get a veggie clip from your pet shop(just a clip with a suction cup) and slice a not too thin slice of orange and put it on your tank rind in meat out once a week. They will love it. Being in captivity they tend to suffer from vitamin C deficiency and you will notice their food is fortified with it too. They are tough cookie's but they tend to hide sickness until it can be pretty bad so if you treat her or him he may surprise you. If you have any questions just ask. Good Luck, Tina